Spectrum of BMI & Assessment of Body Composition in Female Medical Students and Role of Riyazat (Exercise) in the Management of Obesity

ABSTRACT

Body mass index (BMI),can be calculated from the mass (weight) and height of an individual. The BMI is an attempt to quantify the amount of tissue mass (muscle, fat, bone) in an individual, and then categorize that person as underweight, normalweight, overweight or obese based on that value. Commonly accepted BMI ranges are underweight: under 18.5, normalweight: 18.5-25, overweight: 25-30, obese: over 30. Obese persons are prone to various type of disorders like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and high triglycerides level, certain types of cancer and osteoarthritis. Obesity is observed in most of the college going students. Students residing at hostels either eat tiffin food or canteen food. They don’t have balanced diet. They usually consume junk food having high calorie value together with lack of Riyazat (exercise) which leads to obesity. Hence a randomized clinical assessment of BMI and body composition of female medical students residing at Azam Campus Girls Hostel (Pune) between 18-25 years of age group has been carried out. BMI and their body composition is compared with above mentioned range. Conclusions were drawn after appropriate statistical analysis. Dietary advice and Riyazat(Exercise) has been explained to the female students having higher BMI and higher percentage of general body fats.